For the first time since the NHL started offering a reward for extra-time losses the Flames have collected at least one point in each of their first five outings of a new season.

With Friday’s 3-2 triumph over the New Jersey Devils at the Saddledome they became the first crew in Calgary’s history to achieve that feat.

Not bad for a group that was considered among the favourites to finish dead-last in the NHL standings this season.

“You know what it is? It’s great for our confidence” said Flames captain Mark Giordano. “If we started off on a bad note then you let those thoughts creep into your head what everyone else is saying.

“For us it’s great for our confidence. It’s a great start.”

The Flames (3-0-1-1) got goals from Dennis Wideman Giordano and rookie centre Sean Monahan to spoil an impressive performance by 41-year-old puck-stopping legend Martin Brodeur who might have been making his final start at the Saddledome.

Jiri Hudler had a pair of assists for the Flames and has hit the scoresheet in every game so far this season while Monahan also extended his points streak to a fifth game — and his goal-scoring spree to four games — thanks to a fantastic cross-ice feed from Sven Baertschi for the game-winner with 2:43 to go.

It was an early birthday gift for Monahan who officially turned 19 about three hours after scoring Friday’s decisive goal.

To put that in perspective Brodeur had already notched 29 of his NHL record 669 victories when Monahan was born.

“It’s always nice to get a win before your birthday” Monahan said. “Growing up watching (Brodeur) play and now scoring a goal on him it’s pretty awesome. It’s even better that it’s the game-winner.”

Adam Henrique and Dainius Zubrus each scored for the Devils and Brodeur finished with 26 saves but they weren’t going to stop the Flames from celebrating a sliver of history on this night even if they seemed sluggish for long stretches of the game.